The picture showed him with his hair covered in ice after he walked more than four kilometers in freezing temperatures to reach his school.

After that, Wang was nicknamed "Snowflake Boy". He lives with his father, 10-year-old sister and sick grandmother in an impoverished mountainous area. His mother left home two years ago.

"The school's previous teacher dormitory was changed into a new one for students," Chen said. "It has electric heaters, and all lights, doors and windows have been replaced by new ones."

A total of 73 students have moved into the new dormitory so far — 40 boys and 33 girls, the program head said.